I’m used to the smartphone scene being highly competitive, with brands (mostly Chinese) pumping out competing devices close to each other. But it would appear the action camera market is reaching a similar level of competitiveness. Less than a month after GoPro and DJI launched action cameras come the Ace Pro 2 from Insta360, and it brings something the other two does not to the table: 8K video recording, with some tremendous audio recording thanks to a new microphone too.
The Ace Pro 2 is, as the name suggests, the second generation of Insta360’s first dedicated action camera. The company already makes other types of cameras that can double as an action camera in a pinch (including the X4 360 camera which is on my short list of “must carry” items anytime I travel), but the Ace Pro series is meant to directly compete against the GoPros and DJIs of the world, with a rugged build and superior imaging quality.
Hardware
In terms of design the Ace Pro 2 looks and feels like its predecessor, which is to say it looks like every other action camera on the market. It’s a boxy rectangle made of rubbery hard plastic material and has a screen on front and backside.
The camera weighs 177.2g (0.39lbs) and measures 2.8 X 2.1 X 1.5-inch in dimension. The 2.5-inch screen on the back looks good, but it’s smaller than the DJI Action 5 Pro’s screen. The front screen is a tiny black and white screen that’s really just showing the shooting mode and some key stats. You will need to flip the backscreen over if you want to shoot yourself and see framing.
I do like the camera has mounts on bottom and side for quickly snapping into Insta360’s base (DJI’s Action 5 Pro only has mount on the bottom, unless you install a cage).
I do not like, however, that the mounting base is not compatible with the Insta360 Go 3’s system. The latter camera is also a similarly shaped device, so I was hoping I could use the same mount for both but alas, it does not fit. Insta360 reps say a different mount is needed due to the Ace Pro 2 being a heavier camera, but I don’t really buy that excuse. The weight of the Ace Pro 2 is not so drastic that my Go 3S mount and tripod stick could not handle.
The Ace Pro 2 brings back the same 1/1.3-inch Sony CMOS camera sensor from the first generation, but with a wider field-of-view, closer focus distance, and the ability to shoot 8K resolution videos up to 30 frames-per-second (or fps). The 8K resolution is possible due to the Ace Pro 2 packing two silicon inside for faster processing, and it’s the only action camera to use dual-chip right now.
I am also a fan of the microphone, with has a new large windguard that covers it, drastically reducing wind noise when filming fast moving shots like on a skateboard, snowboard, or in my case, a bicycle.
Performance
The Ace Pro 2 can shoot very stable videos in either default widescreen format or 4:3 aspect ratio (the taller ratio gives more room for vertical cropping). The overall field-of-view of the camera is wider than last generation at 157-degree. This means I can hold the camera with my hand, arms fully extended, pointing at myself and still get a pretty wide view that shows not just my head.
You can shoot videos up to 8K at 30fps, or at 4K up to 120fps. The latter option is better for most scenarios, as 8K resolution results in gigantic file sizes, plus not many devices can even play 8K footage.
The Ace Pro 2 does not have any internal storage (unlike the DJI Action 5 Pro) so you do need to buy your own MicroSD card. The 1800 mAh battery is also removable. I have not shot continuously nonstop to see how long the battery can run, but I can say an afternoon out of constant filming, I still could go 5-6 hours and still have some juice left. Insta360 says the battery can run and shoot for three hours in one go.
Video footage looks very good, and in fact, I prefer it over the footage from the DJI Action 5 Pro. Insta360’s partnership with Leica is clearly visible, as the footage has livelier colors and more contrast. If you don’t like this look, you can adjust in Insta360’s companion app, or shoot in LOG and color grade later.
The Ace Pro 2’s microphones are also excellent at picking up my voice, even when I’m cycling.
While the Ace Pro 2’s flip out screen does provide a bigger view than DJI Action 5 Pro’s design, I do think it makes the camera slightly more prone to damage than DJI due to the latter having no real moving parts. Still, the Ace Pro 2 seems more than rugged enough.
Overall, the Ace Pro 2 is a solid update over an existing very good action camera. If you have the first Ace Pro, I don’t think you need to rush out to upgrade, unless you really need 8K video recording and improved audio.
If you’re deciding between the Ace Pro 2 or DJI Action 5 Pro, it’s a very close battle. I generally prefer the Ace Pro 2’s colors more, but if you shoot in LOG and color grade yourself it’s a non-factor. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 has noticeably better audio pickup, but the DJI Action 5 Pro can connect wirelessly to DJI’s Microphone 2. DJI’s camera has a larger screen, but Insta360 can shoot in 8K resolution. DJI also has built-in internal storage while the Insta360 does not.
The latter could be big, because the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is also $50 pricier at $400. Add in the cost of the MicroSD card, and we’re looking at at least an $80 price difference between the two. Still, if money is no object, I do think the Insta360 Ace Pro 2 is a bit more capable technically.
